Zimbabwe in December

Wet season; holiday visitors at Victoria Falls.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatFalls still high; dry season starts in the parks.
• JuneGreatClear falls views and cool days; Hwange game builds.
• JulyGreatPeak season; Mana Pools opens fully.
• AugustGreatExcellent game in Hwange and Mana Pools.

• Victoria Falls and Hwange · Victoria Falls, Hwangerainy

  Falls in full flood Mar–May with heavy spray; clearest views June–August; the Zimbabwe side keeps water all year. Hwange's pans draw game from August.

• Zambezi Valley · Mana Pools, Lower Zambezi side, Karibarainy

  Low-lying and very hot in October (40 °C (104 °F)+). Mana Pools closes to most camps from about November to March.Low-lying and very hot in October (104 °F (40 °C)+). Mana Pools closes to most camps from about November to March.

• Highveld · Harare, Bulawayo, Great Zimbabwe, Matoborainy

  At 1,000–1,500 m: mild, with cold winter nights; summer afternoon storms.

• Eastern Highlands · Nyanga, Bvumba, Chimanimanirainy

  Misty and cool; hiking best April–October.

• Eastern Highlands: Nyanga and Chimanimani highlands · 1,600–2,400 m along the eastern borderrainy

  Rain falls mostly November–March; April–May and September–October are the driest and clearest. Nights drop near freezing in June–August.

• Lake Kariba-Lower Zambezi: Kariba and the Zambezi valley · Lake shore and low-lying valleyrainy

  The valley is hot year-round; October and November push past 35 °C (95 °F) before the rains break. May to September is dry, cooler and the best game viewing as vegetation thins and animals come to water.The valley is hot year-round; October and November push past 95 °F (35 °C) before the rains break. May to September is dry, cooler and the best game viewing as vegetation thins and animals come to water.

• Mashonaland: Harare and the highveld · most of Mashonaland, about 1,400–1,500 mrainy

  Warm wet season November–March with afternoon storms; dry, sunny and cool May–September, cold nights June–July. October is hot and dry before the rains.

• Matabeleland: Bulawayo and the Matobo Hills · southwest highveldrainy

  Dry season roughly May–October is best for game and rock-art walks; the rains come roughly November–March with afternoon storms and green bush. Southern Matabeleland is hot and dusty for much of the year.

• Southeastern Zimbabwe: Masvingo and the Midlands · Higher ground, 1,000 m+rainy

  Warm days, cool nights; the rains run roughly November to March.

• Southeastern Zimbabwe: Gonarezhou lowveld · Save valley and the Limpopo belt, under 500 mrainy

  Hotter than the plateau; May to September is the comfortable window and the best game viewing as water dries up.

• Victoria Falls31 °C (88 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 66 °F (19 °C), 12 rain days
• Bulawayo28 °C (82 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 12 rain days
• Chimanimani28 °C (82 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 14 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 14 rain days
• Chinhoyi28 °C (82 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 14 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 63 °F (17 °C), 14 rain days
• Gweru27 °C (81 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 10 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 10 rain days
• Harare26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 13 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 13 rain days
• Kariba30 °C (86 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 5 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 5 rain days
• Kwekwe28 °C (82 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 12 rain days82 °F (28 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 12 rain days
• Masvingo30 °C (86 °F) / 12 °C (54 °F), 11 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 54 °F (12 °C), 11 rain days
• Mutare26 °C (79 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 14 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 14 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Unity Day

  22 Dec

  Public holiday.

• Christmas and Boxing Day

  25–26 Dec

  Families travel; Victoria Falls busy.

• Unity Day and Christmas

  22, 25, 26 December · Victoria Falls

  Public holidays; higher prices and full hotels.

Crowds · Zimbabwe

Low

Prices · Zimbabwe

Medium

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zimbabwe, side by side.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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